Page 12 of His Blazing Witch (The Silver City #3)

"...You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

I snicker. Ben is on his ass and blowing on his arm with a sullen look. I think I'm getting the hang of this, and liking it. Kelsi sighs on the side.

"I don't know if Mara's fighting abilities are amazing or if they gave us the worst bodyguard ever..."

"Hey, she has freaking fire! I can’t just ignore that like Selena!" protests Ben. "This is cheating, you should learn to control your fire, not roast my eyebrows!"

I can't help but chuckle. Truth is, I'm getting better at fighting, but the more heated I get, the higher chances are I'll ignite my fire without thinking. After Ben taught me all the basics, I caught on quite quickly. I appear to have very good reflexes, and my foreseeing thing is happening more and more often. The only thing is that it's only short-term, so I have a few seconds to understand what I just heard or felt before it actually happens. I often dodge on the wrong side or do some really weird moves thinking I'll avoid a kick that never came.

We use the parking lot as our fighting ground, though it usually means other werewolves come to watch us. They are not threatening in any way, though. They only watch from afar and leave as soon as Ben and I go back inside.

To my surprise, my sister didn't freak out as much about the fire at the university as she did about my pictures being leaked online. She raised an armada of lawyers to get that issue settled quickly, and all traces of me disappeared off the Internet as fast as they showed up. Amy didn't even bother to come see me, though... again.

"Mara, come and read this."

I frown. After we finished going through the full list of books, though we did grimace at some titles, Kelsi suggested we gather those we could to study them. We only found three books so far, and although the first one gave me a headache on dark concepts of magic, hell depths, lists of numbers, demons, and biblical stuff and such, Kelsi found it fascinating. I think it appealed to her inner geek so much that she has been taking notes for a while now and refused to part with it once we got downstairs to fight.

I grab a towel to soak up my sweat and look over her shoulder. She shows me an image with an illustration of a large circle.

"What is that thing supposed to be? A magic circle?"

"An invocation circle. It's fascinating. According to this book, each family of witches receives their own ancestral powers, transferred through blood. It's what enables magic, like some second, secret DNA. These circles are used to contact the dead, but they are never the same twice. This one belonged to a family of witches who lived two centuries ago; it was found in their attic after the last of them died."

"It's awesome, Kelsi, but even if this crazy thingy is true, I wouldn't know what to draw."

"It does confirm that it’s likely your mom was a witch, don't you think?"

I frown. We talked about this before. That herbology book we found, with the picture inside. Kelsi and I raised the idea that it might have been my mother's book, but... we have nothing to confirm that theory.

"The problem is, in all the books I found, the cycle goes the other way," sighs Kelsi. "Water, fire, earth. If your mother was an Earth Witch, you should have been..."

"...A Water Witch," I sigh. "I don't think I ever was. One of the books was about fire demons, Kelsi. Why would I bother with fire demons if I was already a Fire Witch? I…"

Come to me.

I freeze. What the heck? That's... a new one.

"Mara?"

"Yeah, sorry... You..."

Come to me, child.

What the heck is that now? I've never heard that voice before! It's a different feeling from before. It's not making me feel... angry or agitated. It's just as if I was hearing it through headphones or something. I wait a bit, but I don’t hear it anymore.

"Hello... Earth to Mara, do you copy?"

I shake my head and turn to Kelsi who, unlike Ben who's making fun of me, looks concerned.

"Are you alright?"

"Sorry, I think I just felt... dizzy for a second."

"You guys have been fighting for a while," she says. "Let's go back inside for now."

"We should order pizza!" says Ben, ecstatic.

"My goodness, do you werewolves ever stop eating? And you should take a shower first, you seriously reek of sweat, Ben, that's absolutely gross."

"Rude! It's my manly scent!"

"It's sweat, you idiot, it just stinks. Is it worse because you're a werewolf? Don't get close to me, I hate it!"

Of course, that's all it takes for Ben to have fun chasing her. While they playfully bicker, I retreat to one corner of the elevator, a bit lost in my thoughts. I can't shake off that strange feeling. Why the hell is another voice calling out to me now? Am I just going to keep getting more of these from now on? I haven't even told them about that other voice that wants me to kill people, now I got a new one?

We finally get back to the apartment. It's only been a week, but I'm getting used to this place a bit better now. Living with Kelsi and Ben 24/7 helps a lot too, even if I have been forbidden to leave without a proper reason. Kelsi doesn't have classes as the school year is almost over, so we dedicate most of our time to solving the mystery that is me...

"Oh, crap, Spark!"

Kelsi screeches as my cat approaches us, carrying something in his mouth. I frown and crouch down, and he spits it at my feet. A dead bird?

"Where the heck did he get that? We left all the freaking windows closed and we don't even have a balcony!"

I'm clueless as well, but this is his third prey this week. We have no idea how he does this, but Spark has been bringing dead birds or rats inside the apartment as if he walked out every day. I don't get it. I sigh and grab the cat, who starts purring immediately.

"You're the only thing weirder than me here," I whisper to him.

He lets out a cute meow while Ben gets rid of the poor dead bird. Next to me, Kelsi suddenly jumps.

"Wait, wait, don't move!"

She takes out her phone, and without warning, takes a picture of me and Spark. I blink, but she's already jumping back to my side.

"Look! I'm not crazy, am I?"

I check the pictures she's showing me. I had forgotten that thing about Spark's black and gold fur, actually. However, as Kelsi shows me the picture, I can't help but frown. That's... really strange. His fur has definitely changed. There are more gold and way fewer black spots than in the picture she had taken before.

"What the..."

"Called it!"

Now, that's super weird. The thing about him catching birds out of nowhere was already disturbing, but... Even Ben comes to check, making a frown before opening his eyes wide.

"Wow... That's..."

"See? He is definitely a magic cat!" exclaims Kelsi, ecstatic. "That explains why I'm not allergic to him!"

I look down at Spark. It's true his fur definitely changed colors, but other than that, isn't he a rather... normal cat? All he does is sleep, purr, and bring us dead animals. I caress him, and he just looks like any house cat, purring in my arms.

"Are you sure you're a magic cat?" I say. "You don't have any other tricks to show us while you're at it? Hm, Spark?"

For a second, he looks at me, but then, he jumps out of my arms. All three of us look at each other, a bit intrigued, and follow him as he walks into my bedroom. Wait, is he really going to do something? Or show us a clue? Spark arrives on my bedroom's carpet and suddenly stretches his front paws, scratching the rug. Then, he lies down and looks at us, the three idiots.

"...That was..." says Ben.

"Damn it," pouts Kelsi. "I really thought he was going to breathe fire or something. He's a boring magic cat!"

I'm alright with my boring magic cat, though... I go to sit next to him and caress his fur. It's strange, I feel a lot calmer whenever I pet Spark. He doesn't seem to mind either, closing his eyes and purring.

"Oh, I'm done with this cat," sighs Kelsi. "I'm going to go back to reading my book. Ben, just order pizza, but you better get some beer too!"

"Roger that!"

"...And take a shower!"

They leave the room, and I'm left with Spark.

"They are so cute, don't you think?" I chuckle.

Seeing Ben and Kelsi flirt playfully somehow reminds me of Liam Black. The truth is, I've been strangely thinking about that guy a lot... I can't help but wonder if I should seek him out again. I haven't heard from Selena since she called to say Liam confirmed I was with him at the time of the fire. She didn't tell me when I could go out or see her again, though. It annoys me. I have been diligently training, staying indoors like a good girl, and letting Ben and Kelsi stick to me like glue, but still...

Next to me, Spark gets up and starts scratching that poor carpet again.

"Hey, easy Spark, you're going to rip it..."

I frown. The cat is pulling on one corner of the carpet, and for a second, I thought I saw something... I change positions and go over to where Spark is, meowing again. I lift up the corner of the carpet. Holy shit!

"Mara?"

I suddenly drop it, and one second later, Ben's head comes in.

"Lager or ale?"

"I'll have what you're having," I mumble.

"Lager it is, then!" he says while getting back on the phone.

I feel a drop of cold sweat run down my temple. I listen for a second, making sure he's gone for good, and raise the carpet again. What the heck...

A large circle is drawn on my floor using something dark and brownish, I don't want to know what. However, that thing under my carpet is clearly one of those circles Kelsi showed me before. Why the hell is that here?! What the heck is going on... Spark rubs his head against my knee with a new meow, and I grab my cat, stand up and put that carpet back down. I can't believe we missed this, but most of this carpet is under the feet of my bed; we didn't think about moving it while searching my room for clues... Should I tell Kelsi? I hesitate, biting my thumb. This is bad. An actual magic circle thingy is right in my bedroom, it's a whole other thing than just some creepy books!

"Mara, come pick your pizza!"

I go back into the kitchen, and Ben is showing me the flyer.

"Just order the usual for me, I'll... I'll go take a shower," I say.

"...With the cat?"

I ignore him and go to my bathroom, keeping Spark with me. I feel like I'm going crazy... I take a deep breath and open the shower tap, making sure the water runs loudly before turning to the cat. He's sitting there and looking at me with his big golden eyes.

"Spark, if you have other stuff to show me, I'd really appreciate you showing it to me now," I whisper.

He's still looking at me, and I do feel crazy for a second. I sigh.

"You're really not helping me, are you?"

He's agitating his tail lazily, and I sigh again.

"Mara, who are you talking to?" asks Kelsi from the other side of the door. "You okay?"

"I'm talking to Spark," I bluntly answer, exhausted. "I’m taking my shower now!"

I turn back to the cat.

"Fine, I guess you're not talking, but next time, you could show me stuff like that earlier!" I whisper.

He yawns, and I guess that's all I'll get. I sigh and finally get in the shower to actually get cleaned. I'm going insane, talking to a cat, magic or not. That and hearing the voices too. How much crazier can things get now? Suddenly, I hear a ruckus as I'm still under the water. I try to see through the steamed glass, but I need to open the shower door. What the heck is going on now?

I open the door, and to my surprise, I find Spark there with his back arched, furiously hissing at something. I realize something white is curled up in the opposite corner of the bathroom. I approach, feeling anxious. What is that thing…? Holy crap, that's a freaking snake! That reptile is already showing its little fangs, threatening my cat and hissing. Damn it! Without thinking, I ignite my fire and send some its way. Spark suddenly decides to jump on the snake at the same moment. Shit, I'm about to roast my cat!

I wait, in shock and scared, but suddenly, I see him. Spark is perfectly fine, and comes out of the smoke, waddling his butt and holding the snake in its fangs... What the hell now…? I let out a long sigh, retreating until my back is against the bathroom door, and let myself sink to the ground. I can't believe it. What the hell just happened, where did that snake come from? Spark sits up and starts biting the snake like it's some treat. I frown and grab the snake before he gets himself sick. Holding it at arm's length, I burn it between my hands. I don't know what that shit was, but from now on, I hate snakes, that's for sure! I keep burning it until it's reduced to ashes and I can throw it in the tub.

After that, I let out a long sigh, exhausted.

What the heck now...? Magic circles, fireproof cats, and now a snake? What the hell is going on...

"Mara?"

"I'll be out in a minute!" I retort, a bit annoyed.

"Sorry, it's just... Selena just called. The Black Luna wants to meet you!"

"Add that to the list..." I whisper to myself.

Spark turns to me and meows again, coming to rub his head against my leg. Yeah, I officially love this magic, fireproof cat.

I take a few seconds to catch my breath. Just when I thought I wasn't making any progress, so many things happened all at once. It's always like this, lately. Just when I start to think I'm out of clues, something crazy happens to remind me I'm not out of the woods yet. I caress Spark, trying to calm myself down. My magic cat just killed something that probably was magic as well, didn't he? I stare at the black spot in the corner of the bathroom. What the heck was that thing? If Spark attacked it, I'm pretty inclined to think it was something we needed to get rid of, but still, what the hell?

"We are so in trouble..." I whisper.

I put the cat down, and grab the little sponge from the drawer to try and clean the blackness left by the burn on the wall. I don't know why, but after this and the magic circle, I've decided I'd better not tell Kelsi or Ben. At least, not for now... I'm done with everyone doubting me and watching my every move. I need to do things by myself for now. Werewolves or humans, they are not me. They don't get this, and they consider me crazy at best, dangerous at worst.

Once the stain is pretty much gone, I grab the towel to wrap myself in it. My scars are becoming more scarce... I still have some long, dark patches, but it's far from the charcoal and blood from weeks ago. I look like a tiger now, or a leopard, the black patches stand out on my brown skin. They are not painful either, even if I rub the towel on them. I'm even more annoyed at my new bruises from Ben's training. At least now I'm actually good enough so I can get back at him for that...

At my feet, Spark meows and rubs himself against my leg. I glance around, but aside from the slight burnt smell, there is no trace of what happened here. I take a deep breath and leave the bathroom. Kelsi jumps as I come out, almost dropping her phone.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yeah, yeah... Um, the pizzas are here."

"Cool. I'll get dressed and be right back, you can start eating."

"We'll start drinking too!" yells Ben from the kitchen, where he's behind the counter, busy opening some bottles.

I give them a little smile and go inside my bedroom. I close the door behind me as soon as Spark is inside too. I stare at the carpet for a few seconds, hesitating. Maybe I just dreamed the last hour... or maybe I'm really going crazy with voices, magic circles, and nasty snakes. I get closer and lift the carpet with my foot. Damn it, it's still here. Alright, not dreaming then.

I bite my thumb. What next? I don't know the first thing about these damn circles! I put on some silk ensemble and walk back to the main room while trying to think of my next plan.

Kelsi and Ben are already on the couch, fighting over which movie to watch tonight. This has become pretty much the routine for our little trio, but for some reason, tonight, I'm not really into it.

I sit on the big armchair and grab my bottle of beer. Kelsi frowns.

"You okay, Mara?"

"Yes, yes... What was it about the Black Luna, by the way?"

"She wants to meet you," says Ben. "Don't worry, she's super cool. I mean, she's not nearly as intimidating as Selena."

Great, then maybe I'll have a meeting with a member of that family where I don't end up on my ass or in the mud...

"When?"

"Tomorrow late afternoon, at her house."

"Why is she interested in me all of a sudden?"

They exchange a look, both a bit surprised by my cold tone. Crap, that one didn't come out well. Still, I'm getting suspicious of everyone now. No one cared about me for weeks, and all of a sudden, I have to meet both of the werewolf Lunas in the same week?

Ben, who was about to eat his slice of pizza, is left hanging with his mouth half-open and hesitates, a bit at a loss.

"Uh... I think she was curious to meet you, now that they've pretty much determined you're... not dangerous..."

"So they have determined I'm not dangerous?" I repeat, a bit confused. "I thought everyone was doubting me after the fire at the university?"

"More like they think you don't have bad intentions?" says Ben, shrugging. "I don't know. The Black Luna isn't really the kind to doubt people either, she isn't like Selena or the Black Brothers, to be honest. On the contrary, she's seen as the pacifist."

"Didn't you mention she was the strongest, though?"

"In terms of werewolf blood and power, yeah, but still, she's not much of a fighter."

Oh, right, she's the healer... I keep getting confused. I don't really understand how she's got some magic healing power. Maybe she's a bit like me in that aspect? I doubt it's similar, though; she heals others, while I only heal myself super fast. I nod and grab myself a slice. My tone was a bit too harsh earlier, and now there's a heavy atmosphere. I need to act normal, not clue them in on the fact that I just killed a magic snake in the bathroom!

Spark hops on my lap, interested in my pizza, so I quickly eat it, while Kelsi grabs the remote to select the movie. Ben is sending me glances, still at a loss.

"She's a bit of a legend to all the packs, you know."

"How so?" I ask, genuinely interested. "Because of her noble blood thing?"

"It's Royal Blood. And yes, there's that, the fact that she's... super filled with Moon Goddess power."

The Moon Goddess... The deity all werewolves believe in. According to Bonnie, she's not only the werewolves' goddess, but all witches are also under the Moon Goddess' protection too, whatever that means. All creatures of the night, as opposed to humans. I find it pretty ironic that all three species, if I include the vampires, believe in the same goddess, but can't see eye to eye with each other.

"Nora was abandoned as a baby, she grew up in the slums and then in a pack that had no idea of her real status and used her as a slave, you know. She found her mate, our Alpha King, years later. She had no idea she was a Royal, but she fought in the war, the one against the vampires, and she was so, so good. A few years back, the clans were super divided, and the King wasn't super popular, but once Nora took her place as his Luna, all the clans got along!"

"You're saying it as if things had gone smoothly," says Kelsi. "Wasn't there a big fight between all the clans at first?"

Ben frowns and shakes his head.

"No, one fucking clan wanted to overthrow the Blood Moon Clan and they tried to make a mess out of the alliance the King and Nora offered."

"What happened to them?" I ask.

Ben hesitates, but eventually, he grabs his beer and shrugs.

"They were killed."

He gulps down his beer.

What the hell...? Did they kill one whole pack that didn't agree with them? I shudder. Is that how things are done in the werewolf world? If you don't agree with them, you're killed? And he said that Luna was possibly the nicest one...? Or is it because they like her so much, their judgment is clouded? It sounds like she came out of nowhere, became the King's lover, and suddenly everyone loved her. I don't really get it. I thought they liked her because she was a mother figure to their pack, but now, I wonder if werewolves don't value strength and their Royal Blood more. I'm a bit confused...

Selena had that strange blood too. The Royals...

I keep thinking about it while we watch some dark fantasy show about a mutant guy who fights monsters. I don't really grasp the story, but I think Ben just enjoys the action scenes, and Kelsi is into the magic stuff that happens to the lead female character. I'm half asleep in my seat, and petting my cat doesn't help me fight the drowsiness. Spark is already sleeping like a regular, content cat.

"Oh, shit, Ben!"

I open my eyes, a bit surprised as I was almost asleep. I missed the action, but Kelsi's pajamas are covered in beer, and Ben's sorry expression pretty much sums it up.

"Seriously, can't you just enjoy it quietly!" she yells while walking to the bathroom.

"Sorry... Wait, I'll grab a towel!"

While Ben runs to the kitchen, I sigh and wonder if I should get up to help. Still, Spark is happily sleeping and I don't feel like waking him up, he's had some action today.

In any case, I think they are pretty fine with yelling at each other and arguing from both sides of the apartment while I pretend I'm still dozing off. They really fight like cats and dogs... I wait until they are done. I've given up on understanding the show, dead people are back in the next scene and I'm completely lost with their crazy timeline. I sigh and caress Spark again, who immediately purrs loudly.

"Mara, can you pause it, I'm coming! Damn it, Ben, that's my favorite one!"

"Sorry... Do you want a T-shirt?"

"No, I–hey, stay out of my bedroom! Pervert!"

"Ow! Don't throw your stupid plushies at me, you crazy woman!"

"You're the stupid one! Go and fetch, you better bring them back!"

"I am not a freaking dog!"

I chuckle and lean over to grab the remote. Crap, they had to put it just far enough away that I have to contort myself to grab it! Just as I'm leaning over, I feel Kelsi's phone vibrate with a notification. I frown, and after a hesitation, I look over. It vibrates a second time, keeping the screen on for a couple more seconds. Three texts from... Amy Garnett?

I glance back, but they are still arguing. I grab Kelsi's phone to try and read it. Crap, it's still locked. I slide down to at least see the latest text, even if it's just a bit of it...

"I talked to Selena. Just let me know what time she goes. I want Clarissa to..."

...What the hell? I put it back down. Why the hell is Kelsi texting my sister? I don’t even get to talk to her! Plus, Kelsi? Why Kelsi? Is she working for my sister? I thought she was my friend, but... what if she isn't, what if she's just working for Amy and keeping an eye on me?

I hear them coming back, and drop the phone on the table, standing up to grab my bottle of beer and drink it down. Ben and Kelsi return and both stand there. They watch me empty my beer in one go with wide-open eyes. When I'm done and I put it back on the table, Ben chuckles nervously.

"Wha-... You were thirsty. You want a second one...?"

"I'm good," I say, getting up. "I think I'm going to go to bed, actually. Kelsi..."

"Yes?"

I stare at her, a bit lost. Crap, I feel like I'm not seeing the same person as I was before. It's still the same Kelsi, but now, I wonder if she's really my friend, or if she is just another spy sent to watch me.

Is any of this even real? Is this really my flat? Has anything I've been told until now been the truth in any way?

"Mara? Are you okay?"

"...Can I have the book?" I ask, pointing at that book she left on the table.

"S-sure..."

I grab it, and after whispering something like a good night, I go to my bedroom and close the door behind me.

I need to breathe. If I don't take a break, I'm going to cry, or scream, or something. It hurts. It fucking hurts. I thought Kelsi was the one I could believe. The one who had no interest in this, no side to take. I'm such an idiot, after all. I can't believe any of them, can I? Was she even my friend, all this time? Or just my sister's spy? I feel the fire burning in my fingertips, begging to come out, and I need to calm down. I can't burn this damn book.

I get down on my knees and open it. I try to push my bed and pull the carpet over as much as I can to see that circle. Spark sits on the side, watching me make all this ruckus with curiosity. I hope this leads me somewhere!